"Heart of Dixie" disputed on Alabama license plates (More Liberal Intolerance)

AL.Com ^ | 12/11/04 | PHILLIP RAWLS

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

As a resident of Alabama, I can say this. GOOD! I hear enough of the inbred, confederate flag waiving comments from my friends back in Texas

Your friends are aggies and that in and of itself shows their worth. Perhaps you need to get some new one who think beyond their high school and college years.

[Gabz]

So you think it's corny, fine don't get a license plate with it on it.

Even though you're from Texas you're part of the reason so many folks in the south dislike outsiders..........you move in and want to change their traditions.

I'm accepted in this very rural part of Virginia, even though a yankee, specifically because I moved here because of the way it is and not to change it.

[LadyPilgrim]

What in the world is wrong with you???

And please don't put those words in my mouth.
You said and thought that.............I didn't!

I love races of all colors.
But I do happenen to live and was born in the heart of Dixie!

[Texaggie79]

I also distinguish between racism and a dislike of another's culture.

Simple question. Would you allow your daughter (if you have one) to marry a black man who, otherwise met your standards for being worthy of marrying her. Would you have any reservations whatsoever?

Because, I can tell you, the vast majority men I know well enough to ask that question over here, say they would not allow it, or they would have substancial reservations. And their language seems quite similar to yours. "It's not because his skin is black. It's just that black folks don't live the same way as white folks".

[Texaggie79]

No. Prejudice against Alabama is quite rampant throughout the US.

[LadyPilgrim]

Excuse me Tex........happen, not happenen!;-)

[Texaggie79]

That may be. But I am quite happy where I am in Alabama, and with my friends. I absolutely LOVE going down to Maud Alabama (the mose rural area you can imagine) and hunting, eating an awesome homemade country breakfast, shooting the breeze with the locals, ect. I absolutely love it. But that won't stop me from debating with them about changing their minds about black americans. I know their arguments, but I will persist.

Heck, one day I'm planning on bringing a black friend of mine down there. I believe I can slowly get them used to it. They have just never really lived around black Americans.

[Texaggie79]

Great, then be proud of your culture, and help work to change the parts that you don't like... I mean isn't that feasible? Must we just accept that southern culture is the way it is, the was it was, and will never change?

[Texaggie79]

way it was

[GrandEagle]

Would you allow your daughter (if you have one) to marry a black man
Very interesting question. I was just discussing this with a colleague of mine. The answer is that I would have serious reservations. I would like to say that it was because of the culture or something of the sort, but in reality it would not.
If the young man was an active Christian who had trusted Jesus as his Savior, I would have no justifiable cause for those feelings, but I would have them - yes.
Now, let me put a challenge to you. Flag down 10 black parents and pose the same question to them. I think you would be suprised at your results.

As I said, you have no idea how appropiate this discussion is! I have a friend who's daughter showed up from college with a white guy (he is a colleague of mine who is black). He was very distressed. I have worked with, fished with, and enjoyed fellowship with he and his family for nearly 17 years. He is the very last person that I would consider a racist.
I believe that what causes a lot of friction between the races is this belief that everyone has to have the same culture (not to mention that a lot of people make a lot of money off of hate). The areas where our cultures overlap are areas where we prosper. The areas where we don't are areas where both sides get angry when someone tries to mess with it. It doesn't mean that we can't live together. You may call it raceism if you wish, but it is foolishness to deny it.

Regards,
GE

[blam]

Some guy is making a small fortune selling a vinyl 'tape-over' (over "Stars Fell On Alabama") that says "Heart Of Dixie."

[Texaggie79]

but it is foolishness to deny it.

But think for a bit. Think about how many cultures this nation has taken in. The white population alone in this country consists of hundreds of different cultures, yet when you walk down the street and you see hundreds of white people walk buy, they all seem the same. Why? Could it possibly be that the "black culture" that you speak of is a result of being repressed for such a long time. Do you not believe them to be capable of melting in with the rest of the melting pot?

How many marriages do you think there are in America, in today's times, where the bride and groom come from the same cultural background as far back as 3 generations?

The only argument you could pose that would support the notion that black americans will continue to have the exact same culture, is if you could, somehow, show that it was built into them generically. If all the "white" races from all over Europe and elsewhere could melt, why not black americans?

[Texaggie79]

haha stupid spellcheck. GENETICALLY

[cyborg]

Some people could have friends but in laws are a little too close for comfort.

[cyborg]

History between black and white people in this country has a lot to do with people attitudes. I know a lot of black people who can have white friend but a white male marrying their daughter is a bit too much for them. They don't want white in laws or half white kids in their families.

[Texaggie79]

Yes, just as scotsmen immigrants didn't want their blood mixing with english immigrants blood many years ago. But their ignorant ways have died off. Sure, there may be one or two families up north who would rather their daughters marry their cousins than a different race like a german, but you will always have ignorant people in every culture.

[Gabz]

So what?

I grew up in NYC and didn't live around black people. I was in the 5th grade before I ever had a conversaion with a black person. It didn't make me a racist. I used to joke with my news director at the radio station in Delaware that the only reason he got promoted was because he was black. Not only did he agree with me, he started the joke by claiming the only reason I didn't get the promotion was because I was white and female.

[GrandEagle]

Interesting that you would bring up Europe. They line in MUCH smaller countries and they don't get along with each other very well.

Back to U.S. Yes, there are many cultures here in the US. Some of them very similar to mine and others not quite so. For example, Muslims. I would have a fit if my children wanted to marry into their culture. Mexican, not quite so different, but different enough that it would be very uncomfortable.
A bit interesting that you would consider the Black culture a result of being repressed. I can see it as a result of government intervention, but hardly being repressed (not lately at least).
I believe it is a result of the "you owe me" mentality that has been fostered and grown by our government. It has completely destroyed the black family structure and I believe that that destruction is the single most driving factor in pushing our two cultures apart.
I do believe that they could and would become part of the "melting pot" if left alone by our government. Many other cultures have and our Nation is much better because of it. A great many Black Americans are "melting" as you say, but there is another segment that one group or another keeps fostering an attitude of hate - probably for financial gain.

[GrandEagle]

in laws are a little too close for comfort.
Could be. The discussion was an eye-opener for me. I had never thought about it.

[petitfour]

lol